Memory of Oppenheimer Sakura

Nikkei Memorial Cherry Trees and Rock in OppenheimerPark

In 1977, to commemorate the Japanese Canadians’ centennial in Canada, the Japanese Canadian Seniors planted 21 Sakura on the “Powell Ground” in OppenheimerPark. This Powell Street area (old Japantown), also known as ‘Little Tokyo, was the centre of the once-thriving Japanese Canadian Community. Today, some returnees – e.g. VancouverBuddhistChurch, Vancouver Japanese Language School & Japanese Hall and some area residents – continue to be active in the community

Tonari-Gumi (Japanese Community Volunteers Association) was born in the area in 1974 and has worked since with Nikkei pioneer seniors. Tonari-Gumi was heavily involved in coordinating their centennial celebration programs and events in 1977. One event was the Powell Street Festival. Another project, fully supported by the Park Board and involving Issei pioneers, was the planting of memorial cherry trees on the Powell Ground and in StanleyPark. The Tonari-Gumi seniors planted 24 memorial cherry trees altogether. These varieties of trees were chosen because of their strong role in Japanese culture. They were imported from Japan and purchased with proceeds from the Centennial lottery sales and individual donations collected within the Japanese community.

On April 16, 1977, the Japanese Canadian Centennial Tree-planting ceremony was held in conjunction with the inaugural ceremony of the much-upgraded OppenheimerPark. Over 70 Nikkei seniors participated and planted 8 cherry trees in the easterly part of the park, in addition to the 13 others planted earlier by the Park Board employees on their behalf. The Park Board extended their help in relocating a huge rock that Nikkei pioneers placed as the Memorial Rock in the landscape. They installed a plaque on the face of the rock with the Tonari-Gumi logo and Japanese poetry engraved on it. The project concluded with three additional cherry trees planted at the site of the Japanese Canadian Cenotaph in StanleyPark by two surviving veterans of World War 1, Mr. Kiyoji Iizuka and Mr. Ryoichi Kobayashi.

Currently about a dozen of these memorial cherry trees survive on the Powell Ground and two near the Cenotaph in StanleyPark. Every spring, their blossoms bring back memories of Japan and the spirit of Japanese Canadian pioneer immigrants.

The Nikkei community is working to have this OppenheimerPark area designated an official heritage site.

– Written by Mr. T. Yamashiro and submitted by Yuko Shibata, Chair of Tonari Gumi

http://www.vcbf.ca/memories

桜祭り（オッペンハイマー公園にて）

e-Nikka より、

バンクーバー
遺産さくらを祝う式典

１９００年代前半に日本人街として栄えたバンクーバー市のパウエル街。現在は日本人街としての面影は消え、治安も悪くなってしまった街並みであるが、その 一角にあるオッペンハイマーパークでは、今でも春には美しいさくらの花が咲き、夏には日系人最大の祭「パウエル祭」が開かれている。

1977年４月、日系移民百年祭の祝賀行事の一環として、日系カナダ人一世がオッペンハイマーパークに21本の桜の苗木を植樹した。これはカナダ社会での 日本人の歴史を象徴するものでもあり、未来の世代が潤いのある生活を送れるようにとの願いを込めて植えられたものであった。

し かし31年が経過した２００８年初頭に、バンクーバー市当局の公園の再開発計画が出され、３本のさくらの伐採が必要だと発表された。このことは同公園のさ くらが持つ歴史的、文化的価値観を大切にしてきた日系人にとっては一大事であり、日系コミュニティー団体などにより「遺産さくら連合」が結成され、市当局 担当者とさくらを保存するための話し合いが続いた。

その結果、２本の関山桜（かんざんさくら）は伐採されたが、 今年２月12日、立派に成長した曙桜（あけぼのさくら）は公園内のほかの場所に植え換えられることとなった。そして４月18日には移植された曙桜を祝っ て、美しく咲き誇ったさくらの木の下で関係者による式典が行われた。

当初、遺産さくら連合と市当局の考え方は相反していた。最初移植を予定していた関山桜が予告なしに伐採され、関係者に強い失望感を与えるという出来事もあった。だから、この日を迎えた人々にとっては感無量のひとときとなった。

式 典では関係者のスピーチや功労者へのプレゼント贈呈、そして琴や太鼓などの演奏が行われ、参加者全員に花見弁当も配られた。また、市がこの公園に先住民を はじめ日系の歴史の記念碑を建てることも約束した。再生計画プロセスに日系人も公式に参加することになる。このイベントは３月28日から行われている「バ ンクーバーさくら祭」のプログラムの一環でもある。
（妹尾　翠）

http://www.e-nikka.ca/Contents/localnews.php?id=20090422150314よりい

Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration & Cherry Blossom Festival:ジャパンタウン多文化近隣祝賀会

Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration & Cherry Blossom Festival

ジャパンタウン多文化近隣祝賀会

The story of the Legacy Sakura will be featured in two upcoming events.
遺産桜の伝説もこのイベントにて紹介されます。

“Sakura Sakura” will be shown as part of the Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration, a full day of free cultural performances on Saturday, March 28 at various locations around the Japantown area. The film will be shown at 12pm at Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy) with Coalition members present to discuss the film, commemoration and the Legacy Sakura Celebration in the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival.  For programme details, click on the link below.

３月２８日、正午（１２時）に、 多文化地域の祝賀会 のプログラムの一環として、旧日本人街近辺チャペルアーツ（308 Dunleby)にて、短編ドキュメンタリー「さくら　さくら」が上演されます。遺産桜を守る連合会のメンバーの解説、桜祭りによる遺産桜の記念碑計画の発表も同時に行われます。詳細は以下のリンクにあります。

http://www.vjls-jh.com/en/ex/jmcn_programme_e-version.pdf

On Saturday, April 18, the Legacy Sakura will be honoured during a day of activities at the Cherry Blossom Festival ranging from musical and cultural performances to an ohanami lunch. This day will cap a week’s worth of events at Oppenheimer Park as part of the Festival.  The day will also debut Linda Ohama’s eagerly anticipated film “Haru wa Akebono” that documents the relocation of the Akebono that took place on February 12.  The Legacy Sakura Celebration is in collaboration with Oppenheimer Park staff and the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.  Visit http://www.vcbf.ca/ for more information on the Festival.

４月１８日、土曜日には地元アーティストによる音楽演奏、発表等が遺産桜の下、お昼時に催されます。２月１２日にアケボノの移植の様子の撮影を元にしたリンダ　オハマ監督による「春はアケボノ」の初演も予定されております。この ジャパンタウン多文化近隣祝賀会 は、バンクーバー桜祭り委員会、オッペンハイマー公園のスタッフ、我々が共に企画してきたものです。詳細は、 http://www.vcbf.ca/  まで。

Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration & Cherry Blossom Festival

The story of the Legacy Sakura will be featured in two upcoming events.

“Sakura Sakura” will be shown as part of the Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration, a full day of free cultural performances on Saturday, March 28 at various locations around the Japantown area. The film will be shown at 12pm at Chapel Arts (304 Dunlevy) with Coalition members present to discuss the film, commemoration and the Legacy Sakura Celebration in the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival.  For programme details, click on the link below.

http://www.vjls-jh.com/en/ex/jmcn_programme_e-version.pdf

On Saturday, April 18, the Legacy Sakura will be honoured during a day of activities at the Cherry Blossom Festival ranging from musical and cultural performances to an ohanami lunch. This day will cap a week’s worth of events at Oppenheimer Park as part of the Festival.  The day will also debut Linda Ohama’s eagerly anticipated film “Haru wa Akebono” that documents the relocation of the Akebono that took place on February 12.  The Legacy Sakura Celebration is in collaboration with Oppenheimer Park staff and the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival.  Visit http://www.vcbf.ca/ for more information on the Festival.

バンクーバー市オッペンハイマー公園に残された桜 　再度よみがえった一世の精神 レガシー桜連合会 バンクーバー発-一世シニアたちによってサクラがこの公園に植樹されてから、およそ三二年が経過した。今、立派に成長した曙サクラは再造営計画のために 同公園内の現在地のほど近くに植えかえられた。 　曙サクラは、一九七七年の日系百年祭を祝い、未来の世代が潤いのある生活を送れるようにとの願いを込めて植樹された。 　二〇〇八年の初頭、バンクーバー市当局は公園の再造営計画を承認したが、それにはサクラ数本の除去が含まれていた。これに対して、四月、オッペンハイ マー公園レガシー桜連合が日系コミュニティ団体、個人によって結成された。以来、当局担当者と話し合い、桜を守り、この桜の歴史を尊重し一般に知っても らうために、多くの努力が払われた。その結果、二本の関山桜は市当局によって二〇〇八年秋に伐採されたが、残りの桜はそのまま保存されることになった。 　去る二月一二日、その桜の木が移しかえられた後、レガシー桜連合が集まり、晴れわたった寒天の下、短いが感傷を伴う式が行われた。バンクーバー仏教会 のタツヤ・アオキ開教使が読経し、その後、参加者全員はぽっかり穴をあけている新しい場所に折り紙をささげ、順番に土を穴の中に注いで儀式を終えた。 　五、六〇名ほどの出席者の中に、最初の植樹式にも出席していた九三歳になる井上徳子さんがいた。彼女は一世精神の強さを体現するような人で、桜が移し かえられている三時間の間、座ることを拒んでずっと立ち続けていたのである。 　井上さんの言葉は、短いがとても奥深いものがあった。全員が注視する中で、レガシー桜と一世を覚えていてくれたことに感謝した。 　閉会の前に、地元のネイティブのドラマー・グループが、この木と式に捧げる歌を披露した。そのグループのリーダーは、ネイティブと日系カナダ人の両者 はともに住んでいた場所から排除された経験を持ち、強い結びつきを感じている、祖先の貢献とその歴史に敬意を表する大切さにも同感すると述べた。 　同連合の会員で映像作家のリンダ・オハマが当日の式を撮影した。昨年は、レガシー桜とそれを植えた一世たちにささげる作品も制作した。リンダがしてく れたように、私たちは一世とそのレガシー桜がこれからも語り継がれるように努力してゆきたい。これまで、市当局と同公園の桜の近くに恒久的な記念碑を建 てることを検討してきた。それにはこの地域全体の記念と同時に、他の民族系の人たちとそのコミュニティについても盛り込まれるものとなるだろう。 　レガシー桜に関しては、三月二八日にオッペンハイマー公園で開催されるジャパンタウン多文化近隣祝賀会でも語られることになっている。同連合はオッペ ンハイマー公園の担当者、並びに桜祭りの実行委員とも密接な打ち合わせをしてゆく予定。 　当初、レガシー桜連合と市当局担当者の考え方は相反していた。だが、何度も話し合う中で、両者はレガシー桜を祝い、近隣の人たちを集めて開催する一週 間の桜祭りを、そのフィナーレのある最終日、四月一八日まで成功させるために一緒に働くに至った。 詳細は、左のサイトへどうぞ。 www.legacysakura.wordpress.com *この記事はデリック・イワナカ、ジョージ・クマガイ、ジュディ・ハナザワの共同執筆による。翻訳：田中ユウスケ

バンクーバー新報より

遺産桜のアケボノが公園南東部へ移植〜オッペンハイマー公園が今、変わろうとしている〜 ようやく所定の位置に降ろされた『アケボノ』 　去る２月12日、バンクーバー市内のオッペンハイマー公園で遺産桜のうちの１本『アケボノ』が公園南東部へ移植された。これによりバンクーバー市イーストサイド活性化計画にともなう公園再開発計画が事実上、一歩踏み出したことになる。 伐採の危機がもたらした問題認識 　1977年４月16日、日系移民百年祭の祝賀行事のひとつとして、日系カナダ人一世70人がオッペンハイマー公園に21本の桜の苗木を植樹した。春には桜の花が咲き、夏には『パウエル祭』でにぎわう公園だが、移りゆく時代とともにパウエル通り周辺も年々変化し、治安の悪化が懸念されてきた。過去20年の間には日本レストランや日系商店が次々と姿を消し、2000年には日系一世のサポートを目的に設立された『隣組』がブロードウェーに移転。ここに昔日本人街があったことを知る人も、もはや少ない。 　昨年、公園再開発計画により桜の木が伐採の危機にさらされたことから『遺産桜を守る連合会「Save the Sakura Legacy」』が発足。メンバーらの積極的な署名運動をきっかけに、同公園の桜が持つ歴史的、文化的価値観に新たな認識を持つ市民も増えてきたようだ。これらの遺産桜は、伐採という当初の計画をまぬがれたものの、昨年11月にはバンクーバー市の計画変更により、移植予定だった２本の『関山（カンザン）』が突然伐採された。そんなことからコミュニティーの注目は残る『アケボノ』に集中し、今回の移植には敏感にならざるを得ない、というのが事実といえよう。 （取材　ルイーズ阿久沢）

http://www.v-shinpo.com/stay/1top.html　より抜粋

February 12, 2009, after the transplanting. Photo courtesy of Tamio Wakayama.

 

On the afternoon of February 12, 2009, the spirit of the Issei once again radiated throughout Vancouver’s Oppenheimer Park.

Nearly 32 years have passed since a group of Issei seniors planted sakura trees in the Park. A now healthy and full grown Akebono Legacy Sakura tree was transplanted to a nearby site within the Park to accommodate space for redevelopment plans. The Akebono was one of the original twenty one sakura planted in the Park by Issei pioneers in 1977 to celebrate the Centennial of Japanese Canadians in Canada and signified wishes for better lives to future generations. 

In early 2008, the City approved a proposed redevelopment for the Park, which included the removal of several Legacy Sakura. In response, a group comprised of community organisations and individuals called the Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park formed in April and has been working with stakeholders of the Park to save the trees and ensure the history of the trees is heard and respected. After much work, two Kwanzan sakura trees were removed and destroyed by the City’s Parks Board in the fall of 2008, but the majority were saved.   

To commemorate the original planting, the Coalition organized a brief, poignant ceremony on the chilly but clear afternoon after the tree had been moved to its new home. Reverend Tatsuya Aoki from the Vancouver Buddhist Temple began the ceremony by first giving a sutra. All attendees were then given origami cranes to place into the hollow surrounding the tree in its new location before each participant took a turn ceremonially shoveling a little dirt into the hole.

Reverend Aoki blessing the tree. Tokuko Inouye is on the left. Photo courtesy of John Endo Greenaway.

Among the 50 to 60 people attending the ceremony was 93 year old Mrs. Tokuko Inouye, one of the original planters from 1977. She epitomized the strength and spirit of the Issei as she stood for almost 3 hours, refusing to sit, while the tree was being moved. When Mrs. Inouye spoke she had only a few words to say, but the effect was profound. She had the attention of all attendees as she gave gratitude to everyone’s efforts and expressed her thanks for remembering the Legacy Sakura and the memory of the Issei.

Oppenheimer Park drummers. Photo courtesy of John Endo Greenaway.

Before ending, a group of local First Nations drummers took part and played a song dedicated to the spirit of the tree and the occasion. The group’s leader remarked on the shared bond between both First Nations and Japanese Canadians in that both communities had been expelled from the area and he agreed in the importance of paying tribute and respect to the histories of our ancestors that afternoon.    

Coalition member and film maker Linda Ohama documented the Akebono replanting, and in 2008, also produced a beautiful tribute to the Issei who planted the Legacy Sakura. As Linda has done, the Coalition will endeavor to make sure the story of the Issei and the Legacy Sakura continues to be told. It has been working with stakeholders to have permanent, physical commemorative features placed near the trees to be included with the overall commemoration of the area describing the stories and histories of other people and communities. The story will also be told as part of the upcoming Japantown Multicultural Neighbourhood Celebration to be held in the Oppenheimer area on March 28. The Coalition will be working closely with the Oppenheimer Park staff and the Cherry Blossom Festival organizers as well. Though initially the Coalition and Park staff had opposing agendas for the redevelopment of the Park, the two groups are now working to celebrate the Legacy Sakura and the blossoming of the trees with a week of activities and events for festival goers and locals before the finale on April 18. 

Transplanting of the Akebono (意訳あり）

The transplanting of the Akebono tree will be taking place on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12. The work will begin Wednesday at 10am as contractors will begin excavating the tree.  The actual transplanting of the Akebono will take place on Thursday, February 12 between 10am and noon. At 12pm,  a short ceremony will be held led by Reverend Aoki from the Vancouver Buddhist Temple.

昨年移植が決まったアケボノの桜の木が、２月１１日　（水曜日）、に引き抜き作業、２月１２日（木曜日）に移植作業が行われる事が決まりました。引き抜き作業は１１日（水）朝１０時から行われ、移植作業は１２日（木）１０時から１２時に行われます。正午丁度に、バンクーバー仏教会から青木師によって、短時間の儀式を執り行われます。是非、ご参加下さい。

The transplanting is required as three trees need to be removed for the construction of the new fieldhouse. Two were outright removed in November 2008, leaving the Akebono the sole remaining tree to be removed. It will be relocated near the southeast corner of the new fieldhouse location, close to Jackson Avenue.

すでに２本は、１１月２８日に伐採されてしまいましたが、移植が決まった残された一本のアケボノは、ジャクソン通りの近くの新しく建設されるフィールドハウスの南東の角に植樹されます。

As mentioned, a ceremony will take place and be recorded as a documentary. Together, with “Sakura, sakura,” it will help create a lasting memory and legacy of the trees. All who are interested in attending should contact Derek Iwanaka (604-218-6313) or Joji Kumagai (c/o Tonari Gumi, 604-687-2172) for more information.

移植の様子と、一環の儀式をドキュメンタリーとして、この様子は撮影される事が決まっております。皆様のご参加を期待しております。詳細は、デレックイワナ (604-218-631）、またはジョージクマガイ(となり組まで：604-687-2172)ご連絡下さい。

The transplanting is part of larger Japantown Commemoration activities. The Coalition has been working with the City, Parks Board and community stakeholders to discuss commemoration ideas, primarily revolving around the themes of the Legacy Sakura, the Asahi baseball team, First Nations and Labour Movement. A design charrette will be held on February 9 to finalize commemoration ideas that will be reviewed by the redevelopment committee on February 12. The Parks Boards will finalize designs and put out tender in April with the construction of the fieldhouse slated for June 2009. The Coalition is hoping to have the Legacy Sakura story told on commemorative features on the fieldhouse itself and possibly in the park as well.

今回の移植全体の動きは、ジャパンタウン記念碑プロジェクトの一環となっており、アサヒ野球チームと遺産桜をテーマにし、バンクーバー市、公園管理局、パウエル周辺の地域団体、先住民、そして労働会（Labour movement)と共に話し合って決まった事です。フィールドハウス完成と共にこの記念碑を見れる事を目標にしております。

The Coalition is also in discussion with the Cherry Blossom Festival to celebrate the Legacy Sakura during its closing events on April 5. We will be updating this site as details develop.

また、連合会はCherry Blossom Festivalとも、遺産桜を祝おうとこのお祭りの最終日の４月５日に何かできるように話しあいをもっております。後々お知らせ致します。

Re: The Removal of two Kwanzan cherry trees at Oppenheimer Park（和訳付）

 

Re: The Removal of two Kwanzan cherry trees at Oppenheimer Park

オッペンハイマー公園における遺産桜、２本の寒山桜伐採について

November 24, 2008

２００８年、１１月２４日

The Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park (“the Coalition”) wishes to express its strong disapproval and disappointment with the unilateral nature in which the two Kwanzan Legacy Sakura trees of Oppenheimer Park (“the Park”) were removed in mid November 2008.

「遺産桜を守る」連合会（以下連合会）は、２００８年１１月中旬、オッペンハイマー公園の２本の寒山桜が予告なしに伐採された事に対し、強い失望感と不満を表明致します。

Since March 2008, the Coalition has maintained direct communication with staff at Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and has worked with the Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Committee in an effort to protect the Legacy Sakura. While we were extremely disappointed with the Parks Board’s ultimate decision on July 21 to remove three of the trees to make space for the new field house, we looked forward to working with the City and the other stakeholders to develop the Park in a collaborative and transparent process. In particular, the Coalition looked forward to working with the City to ensure appropriate commemoration of the Legacy Sakura and the Park’s history.

今年の春３月以来、私たち連合会は、バンクーバー公園管理局と連絡を取り合い、遺産桜を守るべく、オッペンハイマー公園再構築委員会を通し一緒に活動する努力をしてきました。７月２１日、公園管理局の理事会では、新しく建設予定の公園設備の建物（フィールド・ハウス）の場所確保のために、３本の桜の木が切除（一本は移植）されるという非常に残念な決議がなされました。しかし、我々は、バンクーバー市政府及び諸団体との対話を通しオッペンハイマー公園を改善していくと考えておりました。特に、連合会は、市政府各位と共に、パイオニア一世たちが日系カナダ人百年記念として1977年に植樹した遺産桜が、バンクーバー市史、そして、カナダ史における彼等のカナダ社会貢献の「証」として忘れられないよう記念碑を建てる事を楽しみにしておりました。

On October 15, we learned from Ron Caswell, Manager of Operations, Vancouver East District, that the City reconsidered its original decision to transplant one tree and instead would attempt to transplant all three trees during their dormant period at a date to be decided later.

先月１０月１５日、バンクーバー市東地区、公園管理局長のロン・キャスウェル氏から元来の決議案にそわず、３本の桜を移植を休眠期に試みてみる事、移植の日程は後通知すると知らされました。

On November 13, 2008, we were finally informed by Ron that the City had reverted to its original plan and decided to remove the two Kwanzan trees to give the Akebono tree the best chance of survival during its scheduled transplant next spring. We were told the removal would begin in “the next few days.”

しかし、一か月後の１１月１３日（木曜日）キャスウェル氏より市局が７月の決議案に再び戻り、２本の寒山桜を伐採し、一番耐久性のある曙の桜の木を、来春移植するということを知らされる。我々は２本の寒山桜が数日中に取り除かれると宣告される。

On November 15 two members of the Coalition had found that the two Kwanzan trees had already been cut down.

１１月１５日（土曜日）に連合会の会員２名が、遺産桜の現状を調べに行った時にはすでに２本の寒山桜は伐採されていた。

Despite requests from the Coalition, no one from the City had contacted any Coalition members regarding the time when the two Kwanzan trees were to be cut down.

 

市政府は、連合会からの再度の遺産桜の移植および伐採予定の問い合にもかかわらず、伐採日程通知はない。

 

During the past eight months, the Coalition had been in communication with the City in one-to-one meetings, at public forums, through representation at the Oppenheimer Park Redevelopment Committee meetings and at two Parks Board meetings. The Coalition has made every effort to explain to the City the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of the trees to the Japanese Canadian community. Given the City’s reassurances that the Coalition would be engaged in a collaborative process going forward, we are truly stunned that the trees were removed in such a sudden, callous, and insensitive manner.

「オッペンハイマー公園における遺産桜を守る連合会」(The Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park)は、この８か月間、オッペンハイマー公園再構築委員会のミーティング、２度に渡る公園管理局理事会、市政府会議、一般市民との情報・意見交換フォーラムなどを通し、いつもオープンなコミュニケーションを試みておりました。また、皆さんとの対話・ダイアログを通し、遺産桜の歴史的、文化的、精神的意義を日系カナダ人社会だけではなくカナダ社会の皆さんに紹介してきました。市政と連合会の協力的なプロセスをふまえた上での伐採という公約があったにも関わらず、今回の突然な通知なし伐採は、あまりにも連合会を無視する無思慮な行動で驚きを隠せません。

As one Japanese Canadian said: “When the day comes that the trees are being removed I will hardly be able to watch but will make sure I am there with them anyway.”

ある日系人の一人は、「遺産桜の木が取り除かれる時、私はその光景を見る事はできないだろうけど（自分の身が切られるようで悲しくて）、でも、桜を必ず最後まで見届けたいです。」と言っている。

The Coalition had already accepted the decision by the Parks Board to remove the three trees and remains committed to working with the City and community stakeholders in the spirit of cooperation and goodwill.

7月に連合会は、遺憾ながらも公園管理局からの３本の遺産桜伐採決議をすでに を感受しております。これから市政府、バンクーバー東地区コミュニテーの諸団体、日系カナダ人団体と共に協力し合い、オッペンハイマー公園再構築、そして、パウエル街地域の再生に 働き続けたいと考えております。

We would also like to remind the public that The Coalition is hosting an Open Public Forum to discuss artistic and commemorative ideas for the Legacy Sakura on Sunday, December 7, 2008 from 2:00pm to 4:30pm at the Vancouver Buddhist Temple on 220 Jackson Avenue, Vancouver, BC.  We encourage everyone to participate to help ensure present and future generations understand, remember and respect our issei pioneers.

再び、１２月７日（日曜日：午後２時から４時半）バンクーバー仏教会（220 Jackson Avenue,Vancouver,BC) にて　皆様と共に記念碑について話し合う情報交換の場「コミュニテ・フォーラム」を企画いたしております。パイオニア一世の皆さん達が私たちに残してくれた遺産桜： 日系カナダ人の歴史「カナダ社会貢献」、「日系文化」を守り未来の世代に残すだけではなく、パイオニア一世の皆さんへの敬意を忘れない為にも、ぜひ皆様に参加してくださるよう心からお願い申し上げます。

Thank you.

かしこ、

On behalf of the Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park

オッペンハイマー公園の遺産桜を守る会を代表

会長：デリック　イワナカ

Derek Iwanaka
Chairperson

 

 

 

Public Forum Invitation : フォーラムへのご招待(12月７日）

The Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park invites you to join our open public forum to discuss commemorative and artistic design ideas for the legacy sakura on Sunday, December 7th from 2:00pm – 4:30pm. We encourage all interested participants to attend to ensure the story of the legacy sakura will be told for generations to come.

桜を守ろう連合会は１２月７日（１４：００〜１６：３０）に記念碑とそのデザイン•アイディア等を話し合うための会合を皆様と開きたいと思っています。次の世代に遺産桜の伝説を残すためにも、興味のある方は是非ご参加下さい。

Date: Sunday, December 7, 2008

Time: 2:00pm – 4:30pm

Location: Vancouver Buddhist Temple (220 Jackson Avenue)

１２月７日（日）

午後２時より４時半まで

バンクーバー仏教会にて　（220 Jackson Avenue）

For more information, please call Joji Kumagai at Tonari Gumi (604-687-2172) or current Coalition Chair Derek Iwanaka (604-218-6313).

詳細は隣組のジョージ　クマガイ(604-687-2172) または、新しく選出された会長のデリック　イワナカ(604-218-6313)まで宜しくお願い致します。

from the Bulletin/Geppo

Save the Legacy Sakura Campaign

Sep 17th, 2008 | By John Endo Greenaway | Category: 08.09 September 2008, Featured

Outcome, next steps, and reflections

On July 21, the Vancouver Parks Board voted to accept a redevelopment plan for Oppenheimer Park which would require the removal of three sakura trees. This result came despite the 1,800 petition signatures protesting the removal of the trees, several meetings with the City and other stakeholders, a number of proposals to find an alternative park layout, and strong public words of support from significant institutions in the Powell area and individuals from the Nikkei community across the country. The Coalition to Save the Legacy Sakura of Oppenheimer Park was very disappointed in the Parks Board decision, but on a positive note, the majority of the sakura will be spared and an official commemoration of the Legacy Sakura has been promised.

The Coalition decided to pay tribute to these three trees during Powell Street Festival. We decorated them with fuurin (wind chimes), set up a makeshift booth to display photos of the original planting in 1977, and invited children and adults alike to fold origami cranes to hang from the branches. It was obvious that the trees provided comforting shade under the hot summer sun, and the fuurin chiming in the wind added a unique, soothing element of spiritual summer relaxation, very appropriate for a Japanese Canadian event. Many who visited the Coalition table expressed sorrow, and even disgust in some cases, that the three trees are slated for removal.

The City indicated it will attempt to transplant at least one of the trees during the winter, and that construction of the new fieldhouse will start in April 2009. Also, the Coalition, among others groups, will attend a meeting with a City planning team on Sept 8 to discuss the commemoration project. We encourage anyone wishing to help us with the commemoration project to contact us at legacysakura@yahoo.co.jp or to check the websitehttp://legacysakura.wordpress.com. Please watch for future updates from the Coalition, including information for an upcoming open forum relating to the commemoration process.

From my own individual perspective, my involvement with the Coalition has prompted some reflections on a few issues regarding the Nikkei community. First, the diversity of viewpoints within the Nikkei community was surprising even to me. Despite a Japanese cultural icon – sakura – at stake, there was a marked lack of consensus, perhaps caused by the differing value sets (which can include cultural, linguistic, political, and ethnic elements) held by each group or generation. These differences are something that community leaders must be mindful of and should work to bridge in order to improve community cohesion.

Second, organizations that are supposed to serve as stewards and supporters of Nikkei heritage and history were noticeably quiet in the Coalition’s quest to protect the Legacy Sakura over the past several months. While I understand not everyone agreed with the Coalition’s position, it was disappointing that there seemed to be a lack of interest from these organizations in the story behind the Legacy Sakura, a story of significant historical value as the gesture of hope and goodwill by the elders helped in the rebirth of the Nikkei community in the 1970s and 1980s.

Third, though the Legacy Sakura story was a catalyst to what eventually became the redress movement, it was somehow virtually forgotten. A legacy is only as strong as those who work to carry it forward. If our elders don’t tell their stories to the younger generations, there will be no legacy to remember. This led me to wonder what kind of legacy our own community leaders and elders would like to leave for future generations. While certain events may prompt the community to occasionally come together, an overall community consciousness remains fleeting. Openness, collaboration, and idea-sharing are things that we can use more of, so that groups are more aware of what others are doing, and why. It is essential that our elders lead by example by encouraging more purposeful communication within the community and by supporting the involvement of younger people, whose energy and new ideas will carry on the legacies of our elders and further strengthen the community as a whole.

I am truly grateful to have worked with those involved in the Coalition. Over the last five months, new friendships were forged and other friendships were renewed. I cannot say enough about those who made such sacrifices and exerted so much energy, passion, and enthusiasm for this cause. It is encouraging to know that there is a spirit of tasuke-au alive in the community. It is my hope that instructive lessons will be drawn from this experience, and that those lessons will help create a more open, collaborative, and positive community spirit.

K.C. Sato